May you enjoy all the usual Celebrations. (other chocolates are available)
Just a couple of updates as progress has been leisurely.
The workshop area on ABB has some detail added though not yet fixed in place and the tree needs to be planted in the corner.
The colliery fiddle yard for Cwncarno has been completed, sealed with varnish and a support leg created.
Happy Christmas to all our readers! Read More »
On Monday LBH arrived with the laser cut pieces for the colliery sidings fiddle yard. The parts fitted together with some small adjustments, although the interface to the main layout needs a re-cut as the levels are not correct. The extra area to the side is for storing an additional cassette.
Tuesday Luke brought along a project he’s been working on – a whitemetal kit for a WW1 trenches locomotive. It is now nearly complete, micro-chipped and programmed.
Friday was a wash-out with only two present, but not at the same time! Its a busy time of year.
Monday 15th December Read More »
Monday was a quiet day, Andrew ballasting on Lyne Road, Fred taming a troublesome 42xx chassis and LBH tidying the electrics on Ty’n-y-Coedcae. No pics sorry.
On Friday Paul trimmed the plywood surround Cwm Carno to its rough profile. It’s starting to look more like a layout now.
And Mr Chairman furnished ABB with a makeshift store and some traffic for the Goods Shed to handle.
Meanwhile TAFKATYS upgraded our test-track. As well as a new position and clearly labelled controls, current limiting has been added to prevent the controller being damaged by short circuits.
Monday 8th December Read More »
Wagonman kicks off this month with the tender for a BR 76xxx mogul from a MOK kit.
Being the first one in the month Tuesday was an on-line session. We re- re- re- visited the Clee Hill for further history and pictures of both the standard and narrow gauge inclines plus the aerial ropeway on the eastern side. Steve B dipped into the NRM archive for photos ranging through Doncaster, Darlington, quaysides and Horwich. LBH followed with details on Talybont following the field trip there last week and Mr C linked in with gleaned pictures of Brecon and Hereford.
The ever productive Wagonman has completed the etched brass GW open C, and moved on to the front pony truck for the 76xxx
On the last Saturday of the month TAFKATYS arranged a club walk from Talybont to Llangynidr Locks on the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal.
Rob F took this image closely replicating Ben Ashworth’s famous view, unfortunately there is no pannier tank to be reflected in the canal now.
Monday and Tuesday sessions following the Thornbury Show were filled with tidying up after the event and also sorting out in the clubrooms. A search for a battery charger led to the ‘electrical’ cupboard being turned out. Who knew we had at least 15 extension leads and 3 extension reels in there?
Luke has re-wheeled this BR shunter with drop-in P4 Ultrascale wheelsets. It runs very well following the pick-ups being adjusted to the new width.
And on Cwm Carno Paul 🏅🏅is fitting the the flexibile plywood surround
Following the Open Day and moving layouts arrange for exhibitions etc., there has been a worrying spate of tidying up in the clubrooms, an example being seen here on TAFKATYS’ bench.
The last of November Read More »
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November we took Tŷ’n-y-Coedcae to the Thornbury & SG Model Railway Club exhibition. Here are some scenes from the day.
Tŷ’n-y-Coedcae on the road Read More »
In between the open day and the Tŷ’n-y-Coedcae’s trip to Thornbury there was a bit of a lull at the club,
but nevertheless Wagonman brought his Open C close to completion
and the Wizard is making good progress with Usk (despite being drip-fed with components by LBH).
The quiet after the storm Read More »
16th November was the day chosen for, what now appears to be, our annual Open Day.
We had eight layouts on show, in various states of progress and covering a wide range of prototypes, produced both in-house and by guests.
Abergavenny Blackbrook – our P4 club layout portraying a WR branchline terminus in the early 1950s.
Morgan and Ed looking after ABB
Hogwash & Baloney – Mike Edmunds’ 0 scale work-in-progress based on American short line practice.
Ripple Road – a 00 light railway terminus brought along by our friends at the Cardiff club.
Albyn operating Ripple Road and discussing it with Wizard-in-Waiting, Cory
Project Kevin – a work-in-progress shunting layout in16mm narrow gauge.
Kevin’s creator, Stephen and below in discussion with Morgan.
Melinau’r Abaty – Chris Featherstone’s 7mm narrow gauge layout based on slate workings in North Wales such as the Corris/Talyllyn.
Cwm Carno – our submission for the Scalefour Society’s Jubilee Layout Challenge, also a work-in-progress, got attention from the visiting S4 cognoscenti.
And unexpectedly available was Queen’s Wharf, Luke’s excellent entry for the Peco Rail200 completion, based on the well-known Talyllyn terminus at Tywyn.
The local trade was well represented by Taff Vale Models, Modelau Bryngaer Models, Connoisseur Models and PHF Models.
And we all had a chance for a good natter
And the opportunity to sample some fine home-made food.
Let’s do it all again next year!
With the Open Day coming up next Sunday we continue with preparations. The exchange sidings sector plate has had a sealing coat of varnish and emery paper and graphite used to get a smooth movement through its arc. The track is stuck to the plate and the diverging sidings have their sleepers interlaced.
And on Friday Mr C continued the good work, laying the sector plate track work, so hopefully we’ll see some movement here at the Open Day
Preparations for the Open Day continue.
Open Day coming up Read More »